Do your evenings disappear into chaos—feeding, cleaning, and collapsing into bed exhausted? Are you wondering how to stay calm and connected while parenting toddlers who seem to need you every second?
In this episode, Greg & Rachel reveal the mindset and framework behind calm parenting toddlers—how to meet your child’s needs without losing yourself, gently transition from co-sleeping, and end night wakings without cry-it-out. You’ll learn why the 0–5 window shapes your child’s identity, confidence, and future emotional health—and how your calm presence now builds secure attachment and independence later.
They also share why dads don’t babysit—they lead, and how fathers can bring energy, joy, and true relief to moms in the toddler trenches. You’ll leave with practical, doable shifts that make family life lighter, calmer, and far more fulfilling.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
✅ Calm parenting toddlers builds trust and independence. Meeting needs early reduces clinginess.
✅ Co-sleeping transitions can be gentle and peaceful. Move step by step without trauma or tears.
✅ Night weaning works best with connection. Stay near, soothe with presence, and stay patient.
✅ Dads don’t babysit—dads lead. Real help means engagement and energy.
✅ Self-care fuels capacity. Movement, nutrition, and recovery make calm possible.
✅ Presence > perfection. Toddlers sense your energy more than your words.
🕒 Chapters
00:00 Embracing the Chaos of Parenthood
01:08 The Importance of Mindset in Parenting
03:20 Understanding Child Development and Needs
05:40 The Long-Term Investment of Parenting
08:07 Balancing Self-Care and Family Needs
09:46 Creating a Secure Environment for Children
10:47 Navigating Relationships and Priorities
13:18 The Value of Minimalism in Parenting
15:40 The Evolution of Parenting Practices
17:38 Creating a Safe and Secure Environment for Children
23:29 The Importance of Self-Care for Parents
29:14 Building Strong Foundations for Future Relationships
💬 Memorable Quotes
🗣 “Dads don’t babysit—dads lead. Be the king of your kingdom.”
🗣 “Attachment now creates freedom later.”
🗣 “You can’t spoil a child under three—you can only secure them.”
🗣 “Your calm nervous system is your child’s safety net.”
The topics discussed in our episodes are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. They should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for any medical concerns or questions.
RESOURCES:
Let us help you in your extraordinary family life journey.
How We Raised 7 Well-Adjusted Kids - Without Yelling, Tantrums, Punishments or Power Struggles (+ get THE CHECKLIST: Things We Do Every Day to Raise Well-Adjusted Kids)
Rachel’s Must-Read Booklist for Well-Read Moms
Join the 12-Week Habits Challenge for parents of kids 13+
Don’t miss out on the Extraordinary Parent Mentoring Method class!
Get Greg’s NEW Formidable Family Man BOOK!
Get Rachel's Family Systems & Charts
Get Rachel’s Extraordinary Family Life Planner
Follow us on Instagram: @worldschoolfamily or @greg.denning
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com